Film, Talks and Tasting Workshop
Film Screening of “The Genealogy of Sake”
Talks & Tasting Workshop on
“Sake & Sato: Exploring the Diverse Convergence of Thai and Japanese Local Wisdom”
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The Japan Foundation, Bangkok, in cooperation with Creative Economy Agency (Public Organization) via Thailand Creative & Design Center Khon Kaen (TCDC Khon Kaen), are pleased to co-organize the special events of “Sake & Sato: Exploring the Diverse Convergence of Thai and Japanese Local Wisdom” as a part of knowledge exchange on gastronomy at Isan Creative Festival 2025 under the theme of “Isan Soul Proud” on Sunday 6th July during 15:00 – 18:30 at KHONTEMPORARY – KHONKAEN, Khon Kaen Province.
Japan and Thailand have shared the commonality that both countries have rice as their main staple food with cultural significance in their livelihood. Specifically, apart from growing rice, they impeccably hold local knowledge and how-to about rice fermentation transforming rice to Sake and Sato, in Japan and Thailand respectively, and these so-called “rice wine” beverages have played crucial roles in cultural and economic aspects. In Japan, Sake was originally restrictedly used in religious ceremonies by royal families and aristocrats before permeating later into local livelihood of lay people, especially in their auspicious or celebratory events, like weddings. The Sake making skills and technique developed during Muromachi period (1336 AD –1573 AD) then ignited the commercial expansion of Sake production before the prosperity of trade in Edo period (1603 AD –1868 AD) even further popularized its thriving. Meanwhile, Sato in Thailand intrinsically originated from wisdom of local people, particularly in Northeastern and Northern regions, who long relished this alcohol beverage in traditional ceremonies and jovial events. They also served Sato as a token of warm welcome for their homecoming family members, relatives, friends or also newcomers at the auspicious occasions in their villages. Unlike Sake, Sato has not been well recognized and its scale of production has been limited until nowadays even though its presence became more palpable in the wider public during these recent years. Despite the popularity of Sake in the past or the soaring acknowledgement of Sato now, the paths ahead of these two locally made rice wine are already at precarious junctions. Sake has apparently been far less consumed in Japan with lessening surviving business during the passing decades while Sato has struggled hard even to retain its existence.
To deepen the understanding and discussion mentioned above, we are excited to hold our series of three events. The first activity is the screening of “The Genealogy of Sake.” Directed by ISHII Kaori, this documentary relates about the history of sake brewing in Noto—an area that was hit severely by a recent earthquake. It examines the intense work of the life of four masters in sake brewing called “The Four Sake Kings of Noto,” including a 80-year-old returning veteran Toji (a sake craftsperson), as well as their disciples, such as the first female Toji to join the Noto Toji Union, and a young Toji with a new working style. The story reveals the depths of sake making today and the difficulties of passing down the artistry through generations.
The second event is the special talks entitled “Sake and Sato: The Diverse Convergence of Japanese and Thai Local Wisdom” in which three distinguished Japanese and Thai experts are invited to share their knowledge, experiences and reflections on Sake and Sato through their historical and cultural perspectives before discussing the current challenges faced and the ways forward.
The last one, under the same theme, is the Sake and Sato tasting workshop which will enable all participants to learn more about the carefully selected samples of Sake and Sato by “tasting” after “viewing” the documentary and “listening” to the talks.
The schedule of three activities are as follows.
Venue: KHONTEMPORARY – KHONKAEN
15:00 – 16:45 Screening of the documentary “The Genealogy of Sake” (103 mins)*
16:45 – 17:45 Talks entitled “Sake & Sato: The Diverse Convergence of Japanese and Thai Local Knowledge” *
18:00 – 18:30 Sake and Sato Tasting Workshop**
Notes:
**Tasting Workshop: Admission applies 100 THB/ person with limited seats through advance reservation or direct attendance on site. The payment will be collected in cash on site at the venue.
The participants of the Sake and Sato Tasting Workshop must attend the screening of the documentary of “The Genealogy of Sake” and the talks first. Attending the Workshop only without watching the documentary or without listening to the Talks will not be accepted.
Registration link: https://forms.gle/bwagjKe3mcJEAMKs9
The three speakers are
- Mr. OTSUBO Tomohiro, Managing Director of SHIBATAYA (THAILAND) CO., LTD.
- Ms. Nithipha Thongputchot, JSA Certified Instructor (JAPAN SAKE ASSOCIATION), SSA Certified Sake Sommelier and Owner of The Sake Room
- Ms. Panisa Upahad, Manager of Seed and Agricultural Products Processing Enterprise Group of Baan None Cheuak (Koon Brewery) and Manager of Koon Business
Speakers
Mr. OTSUBO Tomohiro, Managing Director of SHIBATAYA (THAILAND) CO., LTD
Founded in 2012 Bangkok, SHIBATAYA (THAILAND) CO., LTD. is a specialized import and sales company of which mission is to deliver traditional Japanese alcoholic beverages to the Thai market. The company partners directly with excellent breweries across Japan and provides carefully selected Sake, shochu, plum wine, craft beer and more to restaurants, retailers and hotels in Thailand.
Ms. Nithipha Thongputchot, JSA Certified Instructor (JAPAN
SAKE ASSOCIATION), SSA Certified Sake Sommelier and Owner of The Sake Room
Born in Bangkok, Nithipha holds her interests in Japanese hospitality, food and drinks and utilizes her extensive knowledge gained from business operation to develop her current career path. With her penchant for Sake, she became a Sake expert, both JSA Certified Instructor (JAPAN SAKE ASSOCIATION) and SSA Certified Sake Sommerlier. Apart from that, she is the Owner of The Sake Room
Ms. Panisa Upahad, Manager of Seed and Agricultural
Product Processing Enterprise Group of Baan None Chueak (Koon Brewery) and Manager of Koon Business
Daughter of Sawat Upahad, Panisa is the third generation of successor of knowledge transfer about Sato (under the brand “Koon”). She was the co-founder and committee of Khon Khon Kaen Green Market in 2015. Currently, she organizes lectures and workshops to share knowledge about Sato making so that people could understand better about the local livelihood.
About Isan Creative Festival
Isan Creative Festival 2025 (ISANCF2025), under the theme “ISAN SHOW P(R)AOW: ISAN SO(UL) PROUD,” is the fifth annual celebration organized by the Creative Economy Agency (CEA). The festival highlights the creative potential of the Isan region across three key dimensions which are full of “opportunities” for creative creators: Opportunities from Cultural Capital (Content Base) with its rich cultural heritage, Opportunities from Regional Potential (Area Base) with its vibrant regional landscapes and communities, and Opportunities from the Creative Industries (Industries Base) with its growing creative industries—from arts and crafts to gastronomy (Industries Base). Taking place from June 28 to July 6, 2025, across multiple venues in Khon Kaen and throughout Isan, the festival invites creators, entrepreneurs, and cultural networks to showcase, connect, and reimagine Isan through their creative lens.
For more information on the event, please follow this link https://www.isancreativefestival.com/
Contact Information
The Japan Foundation, Bangkok
10th Fl. Serm-mit Tower, 159 Sukhumvit 21, Bangkok 10110
Email: acdept_jfbkk@jpf.go.jp
Co-organized by
